Australia Visa Fee Increase From 1 July 2026: Complete Guide
- Jun 30
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 3
Last updated: 1 July 2026 — fees effective from this date for all new applications.
Australia's visa application charges rose across nearly every category from 1 July 2026, under the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 (F2026L00874).
Partner visa fees reached $11,710, student visa (500) fees reached $2,500, and skilled visa fees (189/190/491/494/186) sit between $6,135 and $6,140 for the primary applicant. This guide lists the exact base application charge and additional applicant charge for every major visa subclass, verified directly against the Department of Home Affairs current visa pricing table.
For the full picture of everything that changed on 1 July 2026 — including the TSMIT, CSIT, SSIT, Fair Work High Income Threshold, and the 2026–27 migration program reset — see our Australia Migration Changes From 1 July 2026: Full Overview. This guide focuses specifically on visa application charges: the exact dollar figure you pay Home Affairs to lodge.
Key Takeaways Australia Visa Fee Increase 1 July 2026
Partner visa (820/801, 309/100, 300) base charge is now $11,710 — the single largest fee increase
Student visa (500) standard rate rose to $2,500, up from $2,000
Skilled visas (189/190/491/494/186) now cost $6,135–$6,140 for the primary applicant
Skills in Demand (482) rose to $4,015
Temporary Graduate (485) rose to $5,750 for first-time Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational Education streams
Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462) first applications now cost $840, repeat applications $1,000
Bridging Visa B and Resident Return (155/157) rose the most steeply, both over 200%
The new fees apply only to applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026 — applications lodged earlier keep the old fee regardless of decision date
Skilled and Employer-Sponsored Visa Fees
These fees apply to the primary applicant. Additional Applicant Charge (AAC) applies per family member included in the same application — the 18-and-over rate for a partner or adult dependant, the under-18 rate for a dependent child.
Visa | Subclass | Base Charge (Before → After) | AAC 18+ | AAC Under 18 |
Skilled Independent — Points tested stream | 189 | $4,910 → $6,135 | $3,070 | $1,540 |
Skilled Independent — Hong Kong stream | 189 | — → $6,135 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
Skilled Nominated | 190 | $4,910 → $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) | 491 | $4,910 → $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (all streams) | 494 | $4,910 → $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
Employer Nomination Scheme (all streams) | 186 | $4,910 → $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
Skills in Demand (all streams) | 482 | $3,210 → $4,015 | $4,015 | $1,005 |
A family of three applying under the 189 Skilled Independent visa Points Tested stream — primary applicant, partner, one child under 18 — now pays $6,135 + $3,070 + $1,540 = $10,745 in government charges alone, before skills assessment, English test, or medical costs.
If your employer is sponsoring a 482 Skills in Demand or 186 Employer Nomination Scheme nomination, the visa application charge is separate from the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) salary requirement. See the full overview for how CSIT and SSIT changed from 1 July 2026, or our dedicated 482 visa cost and fees breakdown.
Related pathways: 190 Skilled Nominated · 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
Student and Graduate Visa Fees
Visa | Subclass | Base Charge (Before → After) | AAC 18+ | AAC Under 18 |
Student — all other students | 500 | $2,000 → $2,500 | $1,530 | $500 |
Student — ELICOS sector | 500 | $2,000 → $2,050 | $1,255 | $410 |
Student — Non-Award sector | 500 | $2,000 → $2,050 | $1,255 | $410 |
Student — Postgraduate research sector | 500 | $2,000 → $2,500 | N/A | N/A |
Student — Foreign Affairs or Defence sector | 500 | — | $0 | — |
Student — Secondary exchange (Schools) | 500 | — | $0 | — |
Student Guardian | 590 | $2,000 → $2,500 | N/A | $500 |
Temporary Graduate — Post-Higher Education Work | 485 | $4,600 → $5,750 | $2,875 | $1,450 |
Temporary Graduate — Post-Vocational Education Work | 485 | $4,600 → $5,750 | $2,875 | $1,450 |
Temporary Graduate — Second Post-Higher Education Work | 485 | — → $2,265 | $1,140 | $575 |
The 485 Temporary Graduate visa has now increased twice within a year: it doubled to $4,600 in March 2026, then rose a further 25% to $5,750 on 1 July 2026 — a combined increase of roughly 150% since early 2026. See our guide to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream or how to apply for the 485 for stream-specific eligibility.
Some third-party sources report a concessional Pacific-regional rate for the 500 Student visa around $745. This figure doesn't appear as a separate line item in the official current visa pricing table — it's applied through the Visa Pricing Estimator based on the applicant's passport. Confirm the exact rate for a Pacific-regional passport holder using the official Visa Pricing Estimator rather than relying on a fixed published figure.
For general eligibility, see our Student visa pillar guide.
Partner and Family Visa Fees
Partner visa applications cover both the temporary and permanent stage in a single lodgement fee — there's no separate charge when the permanent stage (801/100) is granted. See our dedicated partner visa cost breakdown, or the 309/820 subclass pages for onshore vs offshore requirements.
Visa | Subclass | Base Charge (Before → After) | AAC 18+ | AAC Under 18 |
Partner (onshore) | 820/801 | $9,365 → $11,710 | $5,860 | $2,935 |
Partner (offshore) | 309/100 | $9,365 → $11,710 | $5,860 | $2,935 |
Prospective Marriage | 300 | $9,365 → $11,710 | $5,860 | $2,935 |
Partner — application by Prospective Marriage visa holder | 820/801 | — → $1,955 | $980 | $485 |
Partner — ceased Prospective Marriage visa | 820/801 | — → $2,475 | $1,235 | $625 |
Partner — transitional visa holder | 820/801 | — → $700 | $350 | $180 |
NZ Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) | 461 | $445 → $1,330 | $675 | $325 |
Contributory Parent — standard | 143 | — → $4,040 | $2,020 | $1,015 |
Contributory Parent (Temporary) | 173 | — → $4,245 | $2,125 | $1,065 |
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) | 870 | — → $1,515 | N/A | N/A |
At $11,710, the standard Partner and Prospective Marriage base charge is non-refundable even if the application is later refused. Because the fee is paid once at lodgement for both visa stages, getting supporting evidence right the first time matters more than ever — see our document checklist guide.
Planning a parent visa application alongside a partner visa? The Contributory Parent (143) and Contributory Parent Temporary (173) fees above sit on a separate track with their own queue and eligibility conditions.
Visitor and Work/Holiday Visa Fees
Visa | Subclass | Base Charge (Before → After) |
Visitor — Tourist stream, outside Australia | 600 | $200 → $250 |
Visitor — Tourist stream, in Australia | 600 | — → $630 |
Visitor — Frequent Traveller stream | 600 | — → $1,845 |
Visitor — Business Visitor / ADS / Sponsored Family | 600 | — → $250 |
Medical Treatment — inside Australia | 602 | $380 → $480 |
Medical Treatment — outside Australia | 602 | — → $0 |
Training | 407 | $430 → $535 |
Working Holiday — first application | 417 | $670 → $840 |
Working Holiday — second/third application | 417 | $670 → $1,000 |
Work and Holiday — first application | 462 | $670 → $840 |
Work and Holiday — second/third application | 462 | $670 → $1,000 |
Repeat Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462) applicants pay $160 more than first-time applicants — a policy signal aimed at discouraging extended "visa churn" through repeat backpacker visas rather than a flat indexation. See our Working Holiday Maker visa overview for age limits and eligible countries.
For Visitor visa (600) applicants, the Tourist stream outside Australia and Tourist stream in Australia pages break down which fee applies based on where you lodge.
Visas With the Steepest Increases
Two visa categories rose far beyond the standard ~25% uplift applied elsewhere:
Visa | Subclass | Base Charge (Before → After) | Increase |
Bridging Visa B | 020 | $190 → $575 | +203% |
Resident Return | 155/157 | $490 → $1,475 | +201% |
Neither visa has an Additional Applicant Charge — both are typically single-applicant products, since they relate to individual travel facility renewal rather than family migration. If you're on a bridging visa and need to travel, see our guide on Bridging Visa B and overseas travel before you lodge.
Australian Citizenship Fees
Citizenship fees increased by roughly 2–3%, under Schedule 1 of the same regulations — a modest change compared to the visa fee increases above.
Application Type | Old Fee | New Fee |
Citizenship by conferral (standard adult) | $370 | $380 |
Child citizenship application | $150 | $160 |
Citizenship fee (item 13) | $80 | $85 |
Citizenship fee (item 14) | $575 | $595 |
Citizenship fee (items 16 and 18) | $350 | $365 |
Citizenship fee (item 20) | $245 | $255 |
Citizenship fee (item 21) | $310 | $320 |
Citizenship fee (item 24) | $280 | $290 |
The fee amendments reference table item numbers from the Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 Schedule 3 rather than naming every application type individually.
Confirm the exact fee for your specific citizenship application on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging, or see our pathway to Australian citizenship guide for eligibility by visa history.
Does the New Fee Apply to My Application?
The fee is set by the date Home Affairs receives your application, not the date you prepared your documents or the date you sat an English test. If you lodged before 1 July 2026, the previous fee schedule applies regardless of when a decision is made.
If you lodge from 1 July 2026 onward, the new fee applies — even if your circumstances or preparation started under the old fee schedule.
Visa application charges are non-refundable in most circumstances, even if your application is refused or withdrawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a partner visa cost from 1 July 2026?
The primary applicant base charge for a Partner visa (820/801 or 309/100) is $11,710, up from $9,365. This single fee covers both the temporary and permanent stages. Additional applicants pay $5,860 (18 and over) or $2,935 (under 18).
What is the new student visa fee?
The standard Student visa (500) base charge is $2,500 for most applicants, up from $2,000. ELICOS and Non-Award sector students pay $2,050. Postgraduate research students pay the standard $2,500 rate.
How much did the 482 Skills in Demand visa fee increase?
The 482 base charge rose from $3,210 to $4,015 across all three streams — Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement. The additional applicant charge for a partner or adult dependant is also $4,015; for a child under 18 it's $1,005.
Did the Temporary Graduate (485) visa fee increase again?
Yes. The 485 base charge rose from $4,600 to $5,750 on 1 July 2026 — its second increase within a year, following a jump from roughly $2,300 to $4,600 in March 2026.
Do the new fees apply if I lodged before 1 July 2026?
No. Applications lodged before 1 July 2026 are assessed under the previous fee schedule, regardless of when a decision is made. The new fees apply only to applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
Which visa fees rose the most?
Bridging Visa B (+203%, from $190 to $575) and Resident Return (+201%, from $490 to $1,475) rose far more steeply than the roughly 25% increase applied to most mainstream visa categories.
Need Help Understanding What You'll Pay?
Visa fees are just one part of the total cost of applying — skills assessments, English tests, medical exams, and professional fees add to the government charge above. RACC's registered migration agents can confirm the exact fee for your specific visa subclass and stream, and help you plan the most cost-effective pathway before you lodge.
This guide reflects visa application charges from the Department of Home Affairs current visa pricing table as at 3 July 2026, and fee changes legislated under the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 (F2026L00874). Fees are subject to change — always verify the current fee at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging. This is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a registered migration agent.
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